I do not disagree.

I just do not think it is now or next year.

Unless you want to gut the team and pill a Pens / Oilers draft strategy.
- JDJ

Sadly, that won't work in Montreal.

I will kiss your ass on the Post Office corner at high noon....and give you an hour to draw a crowd, if that ever happens...
- pete26

Ill take this strategy over mediocrity for the next decade any day.
- shinebox

I am not sure Molson sees it that way, at least, right now.

Or PG would be long gone.

IF we get/draft a big C with skill, 1 of them has to go

PLeks
DD
Eller

I'd rather keep Pleks but DD won't get you as much as Plecks could.
- braidan

Then it's Plecs that goes. In a package, you can get something good.

One would hope. Pleks had a good AHL base of 2 great years to build from and was further insulated by pretty defensively aware teams. Ellers shown flashes but like Subban is young and has a ways to go.
- Pie

I am not saying trade PK, or that he is a bust, and will never amount to anything in the NHL, in fact everything points to the complete opposite, however u doubt any team is even excepting offers for their number one centers without PK's name being in the equation.

I think Eller has size to his advantage and could be better offensively then Pleks, seeing Pleks lose so many battles along the boards and watching DD winning them against the same players doesnt exactly speak volumes about Pleks compete level.
- shinebox

and yet defensively Pleks has Eller beat 6 ways to Sunday and DD does get some advantage with room offensively But I do agree DD wins some battles just through determination.

Sadly, that won't work in Montreal.
- Dgrdnr

If there was someone who came in with a strong plan and clear understanding of the drafting / talent evaluation, I think that person might be able to sell it to Habs fans.

I am just not sure there is a strong enough personality to make that happen, other than the French version of Burke - Pierre McGuire, and I am not sure I want him as GM.

If Eller is set to become that 2nd line center in the future (Leblanc or Bournival centering the 3rd line), then Plek will have to go at some point...
- Dgrdnr

I think Leblanc ends up as a winger in the NHL. And Bournival is at least 2 years away.

IF we get/draft a big C with skill, 1 of them has to go

PLeks
DD
Eller

I'd rather keep Pleks but DD won't get you as much as Plecks could.
- braidan

But if your drafting one why move Pleks at all? Send DD to where ever for whatever.

and yet defensively Pleks has Eller beat 6 ways to Sunday and DD does get some advantage with room offensively But I do agree DD wins some battles just through determination.
- Pie

I think he wins them because he is putting effort out there and he is genuinely having fun out there with Max and Cole, that makes a huge difference.... It is clearly obvious Pleks is frustrated beyond belief, and his string of awesome wingers has not helped the cause.

I am not sure Molson sees it that way, at least, right now.

Or PG would be long gone.
- JDJ

Sadly, you are right. Molson is a major problem. When the Nordiques come back, people will jump ship so fast they will be crying.

and yet defensively Pleks has Eller beat 6 ways to Sunday and DD does get some advantage with room offensively But I do agree DD wins some battles just through determination.
- Pie

Eller is improving on the PK.

He is also put up against the opposition's best line more regularly.

He might never be as good as Plek on the defensive side, but he has better stick handling than Plek. And of course, you can't teach size.

He's not there yet, but he's progressing.

That's why we need to draft properly.

The next few years are gonna be long ones for hab fans, especially if the GMs are impatient and keep patching the leaking roof.
- Dgrdnr

You know, i could see a team drafting poorly that didnt have the amount of brilliant hockey minds in their illumni, but this is the (frank)ing habs, the most successful/winning franchise in history, and we cant get someone in here who can scout, trade, draft, and further the development of their young prospects so they become something in the NHL? Then we are truly (frank)ed. You gotta be (frank)ing kidding me. This is what i find hard to believe.

But if your drafting one why move Pleks at all? Send DD to where ever for whatever.
- Pie

But if we trade Plek in a package we can get a top 6 winger for the new draftee, not so sure we could with DD.

I am not saying trade PK, or that he is a bust, and will never amount to anything in the NHL, in fact everything points to the complete opposite, however u doubt any team is even excepting offers for their number one centers without PK's name being in the equation.
- shinebox

I don't think anyone is saying he's a bust. But if that big C is picked up by trade you have to think long and hard about nixing it over Subban.

Sadly, you are right. Molson is a major problem. When the Nordiques come back, people will jump ship so fast they will be crying.
- Champ

Maybe that is a good thing... then the Habs can let the NoRichards take all the media hype for a year or two while they gut the team.

I just read it again and I don't interpret it the same way as I understand you too.

PK needs to mature, but he also needs to be given a chance. See what EE says about Price.
- habby

I read it as PK needs to gain the respect of his teammates, my Mom raised fat kids, not dumb ones, sorry.

If there was someone who came in with a strong plan and clear understanding of the drafting / talent evaluation, I think that person might be able to sell it to Habs fans.

I am just not sure there is a strong enough personality to make that happen, other than the French version of Burke - Pierre McGuire, and I am not sure I want him as GM.
- JDJ

He is the only one who fits the discription.

I am not sure Molson sees it that way, at least, right now.

Or PG would be long gone.
- JDJ

Any clue who was the last GM fired in season? I can't think of one. I know it's happened, but it's not that easy.

I think Leblanc ends up as a winger in the NHL. And Bournival is at least 2 years away.
- habby

So in two years then.

Plek would still have 2 years left on his contract at a very reasonable rate. He'll be worth something.

DD... not so much.

I think Leblanc ends up as a winger in the NHL. And Bournival is at least 2 years away.
- habby

I agree with this, Leblanc's speed, smarts and good boardplay look like they'll be better served on the wing. I sure hope he can score...

Eller is improving on the PK.

He is also put up against the opposition's best line more regularly.

He might never be as good as Plek on the defensive side, but he has better stick handling than Plek. And of course, you can't teach size.

He's not there yet, but he's progressing.
- Dgrdnr

I am happy with Eller's progression this year, especially given the role on the 3rd line and what he has done with that.

The next question he has to prove - can he do the same in a top 6 role, producing offensively.

Any clue who was the last GM fired in season? I can't think of one. I know it's happened, but it's not that easy.
- habby

JFJ, Sutter... I am sure there have been other recent ones.

I am not sure Molson sees it that way, at least, right now.

Or PG would be long gone.
- JDJ

I fear that Molson only gives a (frank) about the almighty dollar and not winning, and the habs have become the new leafs.

But if we trade Plek in a package we can get a top 6 winger for the new draftee, not so sure we could with DD.
- braidan

I agree Pleks has greater value than DD a substantial amount in my mind even though I really appreciate DDs effort to date. I would think you could pick up a FA winger easier than have to trade away assets, especially if the drafted C is someone guys want to play with.